A few days ago some friends and I went to the movies. (We saw the remake of “Arthur,” which in no way lived up to the original, but my unexplained obsession with Russell Brand make it worthwhile.) Generally speaking, I don’t usually snack on a lot of junk food, nor do I drink soda. But for some reason, a movie just isn’t the same to me without a bag of popcorn (with butter…yikes!) and a small soda, which is usually the size of my head. As I was standing in line for my goodies, I remembered an article I recently read in the New York Times about how the federal government released a proposed rules requiring chain restaurants and other food-services businesses to post calorie counts on menus, but, after objections from theater chains, they are not required to do the same. The National Association of Theater Owners claim that movies are “escapist entertainment” and that moviegoers do not go there with the intent of eating a meal (not true in my case).

My personal opinion is that, considering all the health problems and the obesity rate in the U.S., the rules should apply across the board, especially at an establishment where a large popcorn and a large soda can contain as many calories as a typical person needs in a day. I’m not condemning people for eating and drinking these snacks, because that would be hypocritical, but I do believe the public should have the right to know exactly what they are ingesting. What are your thoughts on this topic?